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BOOK CLUB TABLESCAPE

Raise your hand if you belong to a BOOK CLUB!!!! I can see hands going up all over bloggland!!!

If you are like me, you love reading and love talking about books with your girlfriends even more! The last book my book club read was "THE OTHER WES MOORE" (got a 9-10 out of 10 rating) and it inspired very interesting conversation! Now we are reading "THE FORGOTTEN GARDEN" and I already hear from some members that it is getting rave reviews!

I recently hosted a book club dinner and was inspired to set a book themed table...

Black and white were the predominate colors of this well-read table... a take-off of the written word. I added a dash of citron green for sass!

I mixed up the pattern and color of every other place setting for added interest... and to see if the girls noticed!

Some place settings look like this...

And the others look like this...

The bottom and top dishes in the stack were the same, but the two sandwiched in the middle were not.

I just could not make up my mind which dish stack I liked best when I was working on the table so I used both!

This is a great tip when you do not have enough of one kind of dishes. Mix it up... on purpose!

Did you notice the napkins were different too?

Each napkin was fanned and held together with a book-page posy.

Look for a Tutorial for these simple, economical and sassy napkin rings on Saturday.

Green handled flatware adds a splash of color to the table!

Small clear vases hold one single white tulip... a take-home gift from my book club girls!

White and citron green bubble glasses were alternated around the table. They rest on the cutest cocktail napkins that says, 'BLAH BLAH BLAH'... you know how we girls love to talk!!!

The cocktail napkins came from Radel And Stauffer, a shop packed full of wonderful gifts and fine home furnishings here in Lancaster! (I had a little, teeney shopping spree while I was there... thanks Kathy.. you are a wonderful partner-in-crime!)

Covered books are used as risers in the center of the table.

I used reversible gift wrap and gift wrapping tape to cover and decorate each book in black and white.

A simple pitcher of tulips is perched on top of the center stack of books.

Their graceful shape brings softness to the table.

Our book club had a wonderful evening of food and lively discussion!

I would highly recommend starting a book club if you are not in one... that's what I did... and I am so much richer for it!

Our book club is reading Courting Morrow Little by Laura Frantz, and we will be getting together at the end of the month. Can't wait! Each meeting feels so different, based on the book we are discussing that quarter. Your table is beautiful -- never blah, blah, blah! Love those adorable napkins!

I did covered books (in plaid) on my Christmas table and was feeling so good about it. Then I saw yours. Oh my word. This book lover has just died and gone to heaven!! I LOVE it. Can't wait for the napkin ring demo. SO glad you are back. Wish you lived in Oklahoma and I would make sure I was in your book club! Lori L

Oh I so wish you had been here to join all of us. We had so much fun. I am so glad you are back blogging. I have missed your posts so much and your tablescape is stunning, just fantastic. I love all of it. Hugs, Marty

Yvonne, oh my how I have missed your beautiful tablescapes. I am so happy you are back! This is a perfect example of what works of art you create. Your dishes are simply amazing! I don;t have time for a Book Club sadly, but can I just come over and sit at your table and eat your yummy menu? :) Please, please hook up with our Egg-xellent Spring Party tonight at www.housepitalitydesigns.com with Shirley. Its Tablescape Day. Blessings, Barb

1. The black circles on white are so chic (the book covers) - reminds me of a Kate Spade I purchased on a special trip to Chicago (still use and covet!).2. Where do you keep all those dishes?!! I know, I know - you wrote about this some time ago. My husband and I just talked about adding some cabinets above the laundry room sink to store some of mine (and I do not have *anywhere* near the number you do!).3. A virtual book club for us via your blog? Just a thought . . . you know, with all of your spare time. WINK!

This is such a pretty table, Yvonne, with a touch of whimsy {love the blah, blah, blah napkins!}. I love how you mix things up, too. I am looking forward to learning how you make the book page napkin rings!

Can you believe that I am NOT in a book club???? That is just plain crazy!!! I read all the time. Your table is INSPIRED! Gorgeous. I love white tulips too. Of course your dishes are beautiful. I love the mix:) XOXO, Pinky

Beautiful Yvonne. I love black and white and this was truly stunning. What a wonderful reason for a dinner. If I were there I'd join up. We all need to read more. And it just seems like so much more interesting when you can discuss it with others. The menu looks good too. My last luncheon last week I had everyone bring something around a theme. It worked out so well and everyone felt they were more apart of it because they each contributed. I'll be sharing that one on my blog closer to May. But it did make it easier for me. You know the old saying...Many hands make heavy burdens light. I so believe that. Thanks for a wonderful post. Again I am so glad you're back. When you left just two weeks after I started my blog I was just devastated. You are one of my main mentors and I felt lost without seeing the flagship in front. Its just truly nice to see you here again and feel of your strength and spirituality.

Yvonne~ I LOVE your book page flowers you created~ the perfect touch for a book club! Your stacks of dishes are always gorgeous but I'm especially fond of green, black & white! Your book club was in for a treat sitting at your table~ your menu sounds delicious :)

How wonderfully creative, Yvonne! I think the little book-page posy takes it over the top & I got a kick out of you using "black & white"...read all over. LOL Good thinking!

My book club that I started back in 1999 is still going strong. I have to keep in touch via email with them now but when we go to FL, I get to join in again. I shall pass on your club's book choices as suggestions for upcoming months.

Thanks for letting us share in all the fun ideas.

Hugs,Rett

p.s. "(I had a little, teeney shopping spree while I was there" LOL We know how THAT happens!!! *wink*

AMAZING!!!..Can I join the club?..I am not sure if I could focus on the discussion of the book as my focus would be on the beautiful table...I have seen so many wonderful ideas on your table that I am anxious to do...Just love the color combination!

You are inspiring. What a beautiful table. You are going to LOVE "The Forgotten Garden". I just finished it Sunday night and I didn't want it to end. Kate Morton is a great author. Love your blog. You are my favorite of all!

Wow...this takes me back to 1st grade when we would have to put covers on our books. I remember having such a hard time figuring it all out, but once I did...magic! These books look terrific covered in various bold patterns. I like the way you mixed it up but kept a consistent look going, and I LOVE the "Blah, Blah, Blah" cocktail napkins. So cute...and true to what we do when we get together! :-) Great napkin rings, too! Maybe someday I will find the patience to learn how to make them. I was in 3rd grade before I got the grasp of the book covers! ;-)

Beautiful! A friend and I recently started a book club for the ladies of our congregation - I'm about to finish a blog post on our last meeting. =) And I aaaaallllmost used a black/white/green theme for that meeting, but changed my mind at the last minute! Seeing your ideas makes me want to do it for the next one! I LOVE the book page posies - I'll definitely be looking for your tutorial. =)

OH MY GOSH you are so dang creative with how you put your tablescapes together...I am always blown away every time! I am in love with all of it. The books covered in the wrapping paper is ingenious! I love how you mixed up the plates...I do that when I don't have enough as well. I bet your book club ladies were in heaven! No one is going to want to have the book club meeting any where else but your house.

You really should write a book about all your tablescapes and how to's etc... I'd buy it!

Come link up to Centerpiece Wednesdays on my blog and share all this goodness!

Hi Yvonne so glad your back...missed your blog...just a note ...(on the banner it says blook club)...knew you wanted to fix it as your blog is so beautiful and perfect...lol...come for a visit...love all your recipes...

Now Yvonne, this wasn't the book club you were hosting the day after I was there, was it? You said you weren't doing anything special and this is indeed quite special. The different stacks of dishes are so fun and covering the books was a great idea. Such a fun table, I'm sure you all had a memorable evening.

Classic black/white and the fresh green is just so pretty and the paper flowers are sweet. How fun to enjoy the opinions and discussion of others in the book club. Sadly, I'm not reading as much as I used to. Too much blog time, perhaps? LOL

Yvonne, I just finished reading the 'The Forgotten Garden' which I thoroughly enjoyed . I read it while spending time with my hubby in Fairhope, Al. It's a beautiful quaint town on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay. They hosted their annual Arts & C Crafts Festival over the weekend. For you southerners in the area, there's a great book store downtown, Page and Pallet, who freely give recommendations for a good read. They also host various authors to come and speak. Wish I lived close. They recommended 'The Art of Hearing Heartbeats' by Jan-Phillipp Sendker. That's my next book to read. Please continue to share what your book club is reading.

It is wonderful to see your tablescapes again. Loved it! I can't wait to try to make the napkin rings. I'm so glad you are back!!